Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-12-02
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

structlCn work on the road.
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Regular Correspondence of the Standard.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 1887.
An official of the next House of
Representatives shows the political
complexion of that body, to be as
follows: Democrats. 16S; Republi-
cans 153, and Independents 4. In
the Democratic caucus it will require
sc votes to nominate. At preeent no
contest is apparent except over the
office of door-keeper, though if there
should be a change in that position,
geographical considerations would
probably lead to complete change of
House officials. 1t is of course con-
ceded that Mr.. Carlisle will be his own
successor without opposition in his
own party. 1t is believed that the
contest for the Ex-Spcaker's seat will
not amount to anything. His init
mate friends give out that when the
House assemblies and organizes, and
the contest is being considered, Mr..
Carlisle will vacate the chair and call
the veteran Pennsylvania Republican
VIM. d. Kelley, who is known as the
Father of the House, to preside during
the investigation of his title, course
that will generally be commended for
the fairness.
The Virginia contempt cases are
again before the United States Su-
preme Court for final adjudication,
and it is announced that decision
will he rendered on a week from Mon
day. Ex-senator Roscoe Conkling
appeared in behalf of the State of Vir-
ginia, but the argument was tame and
spiritless and did not touch on the
main point at issue-the question of
the reserved rights of the States un-
der the Federal Constitution. 1t is
suspected that the famous New
Yorker was chary of placing himself
upon record in manner that might
initiate against his political ambi-
ton.
A recent decision of the Supreme
Court adverse to the patentee of
" driven wells" fills the hearts of
millions of farmers with gladness, be-
cause if the verdict had been favor
able to the inventor he would have
reaped royalty of ten dollars each on
the three million drive wells in the
United States-amounting to $50, ,0OO,-
600. The issue involved was only the
idea of making well by driving an
iron pipe to the water. The State
Oranges of Iowa and Minnesota voted
S25 600 to fight the patent.
The probability that at present the
postal business of the country is on a
paying basis, speaks volumes for the
ability and economy of the reform ad-
ministration which President Cleve-
land is giving the nation. For many
years postal deficiencies have amount
ed to from eight to fifteen million
dollars per annum; but for the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1856, it was &c.
100000; since then this was reduced
to about 81, 100000 and for the year
just past, the deficniency was reduced
to one million dollars. At this ratio of
reduction, the Postoffice Department
will be running at clear profit before
the close of the year. The carrying
OF the business mail of the army of
office-holders of the country annually
costs the Government the immense
sum of two million dollars. Then,
it ought to be matter OF pride to all
Americans to remember that their
postal service is the most extensive in
the world.
As another striking instance OF hon
est work and reform methods in the
service, it is worthy of metnion
that for the first time in the history of
the Pension Office, the Board of Ap-
peals is up with its business. Last
years edition of The Pension laws,
which can be procured by application,
gives full and practical information of
the present acts. The Mexican vete-
rams have waited so long for recogni-
ton OF their services that the Commits
sioner, with the view of rapidly dispos-
ing OF their cases, has placed an extra
force of clerks on the work.
The conflict OF authority between
Secretary Lamar and Mr.. Sparks,
Commissioner of the General Land
Office, has resulted, as was generally
anticipated, in the latter's resignation
1t appears that these officials were in
accord as regards the general land
policy of the Administration, but that
they differed radically as to the proper
construction of some OF the railroad
land grant acts. Both Mr.. Lamar and
Mr.. Sparks mean well, but they could
not agree, so the former acted wisely
in preventing the alternative of the
resignation of one or the other. 1t
seems that Mr.. Lamar wanted to vim
dicate himself and clear the way for
his successor.
There are those who believe that the